Adam Scott Collapses as Ernie Els Wins the British Open

By Chris Jackson July 22, 2012

Lytham St. Annes, England-Adam Scott collapsed on the final holes while Ernie Els got it going during those holes as Scott blew the lead and Ernie Els wins the British Open. Ernie Els finished the tournament as -7 while Scott finished at -6. On 18, Els made a medium distance birdie putt and was able to stay alive and just watch on and see if he could win.

“I started believing a little bit more,” said Els.

But he saw his friend Adam Scott fall apart and on 18, Scott’s birdie putt went in and out of the hole. What a terrible feeling. “I feel for him,” said Els.

It was one of the more sad ways to end a major because Scott had it. It is sort of reminiscent of the 1999 Open at Carnoustie when Jean Van De Velde blew the lead on 18.

Scott had played great all week though. He was on his game. He was making putts and was driving the ball great. His aggressiveness paid off then. But it didn’t pay off in the end. He probably got nervous in the closing holes.

“I played so beautifully for most of the week,” said Scott. “I shouldn’t let this bring me down.”

Scott finished the day at +5 and the tournament at -6.

“I’m pretty disappointed,” said Scott.

Ernie Els is one of the classiest guys in golf. He was so humble when he won and mostly talked about how bad he felt for Adam Scott.

Ernie told Adam when he was getting the trophy, “You’re going to win many, you have too much talent.”

Els won his first tournament in a decade.

The message on the leaderboard said “Well played Ernie. See you at Muirfield in 2013.”

Ernie played great all tournament. He played calm and had a great presence.

After he won, he said about winning, “It’s amazing." Tiger Woods also was in contention. But at hole 6, he triple-bogeyed after two sand shots. He finished tied for 3rd at -3. That was Tiger’s best finish in a major since 2009 at the PGA Championship. He is now No. 2 in the world. He has a 17 major winless streak.

“It’s part of golf,” said Woods. “We all go through these phases. Even the greatest players to ever live have gone through these kinds of phases.”

Zach Johnson Wins John Deere Classic in Playoff

By Chris JacksonSilvis, IL-Chalk up a crazy John Deere Classic win for Zach Johnson as the playoff could have ended bad… but it didn’t.Zach Johnson had a great weekend performance. He finished the tournament at -20; that doesn’t include the playoff.On 17, Troy Matteson made a long Eagle putt to tie Johnson for the lead. Johnson missed the winning putt on 18 as it missed the cup by a mere inch.The playoff was played on the 18thhole twice. The first time wasn’t very good as both Johnson and Matteson hit bad drives. Johnson’s went into the left bunker next to the fairway and Matteson hit his in the trees.Luckily Matteson’s ball hit a tree and went in the rough between the trees. It still wasn’t an easy lie.Troy Matteson’s second shot was miss hit and was hit into the water.Johnson’s second shot should have been played safe and just been chipped out. But instead he decided to go for the green. But that didn’t work out as he then hit his shot in the water.Both double bogeyed the hole.The second time both played the hole, it went better. Except for Johnson’s drive, it went into the same bunker. Matteson’s went in the middle of the fairway. Johnson then went for the cup and it came within a foot of the hole as he birdied the hole and won the tournament in the playoff. He beat Troy Matteson.Both are now guaranteed in the upcoming British Open.